5.1 Home Theatre

[bexarametric]

I know a lot about great reference monitors in my recording studio but haven't a clue about home theatre systems for my living room. What do you guys have at home? I'm definitely going to listen to different systems and form my own opinion, but I don't even know where to start. How are Vienna Acoustics? Good? Are there better things out there?

I have about a $4000 budget for my setup with installation. Now, I don't HAVE to spend $4K (cause I like buying recording gear too) if there is something good for less, but I would like some input. I want something to listen to "finished" music on. SACD's, DVD audio etc. I want to start buying 5.1 mixes of albums, in addition to watching movies.

[chrisp2u]

Obviously, there's a ton of options out there... I did a load of research a few years back searching for the best I could find for the $$$ (my budget much less than yours). It might be worth your while to take a look at Ascend Acoustics (Audiophile Loudspeakers and Subwoofers for Home Theater and Music - Ascend Acoustics, renowned speakers,subs,audio). They don't look as fancy as a lot of higher-end stuff, but they sound very good, and te build quality is solid. I had reservations ordering from an "online only" company, but all the reviews I could find seemed positive, so I gave i a shot. Definitely was not disappointed.

I have the Ascend 170's for my front mains, the 340 center, and the 200's for rears. When I bought mine they offered HSU subwoofers (HSU Research) with their package systems, but it appears they both started crossing over into each others products lines and that relationship is no more. The HSU sub (STF-2) is very impressive... it kicks out some *serious* solid bass... unbelievable for home theater/DVD movie watching... and seems to hold it's own musically too. Think the total I spent was just under $1500... though you could jump up from what I got and it would be more in your range... and probably be even more impressive.
---
c

[bexarametric]

Right on. That's a pretty cool looking system.

[centurymantra]

Setting up a home theatre may not be as complex as getting a studio going, but there are quite a few variables to consider. The tail end of my audiophile phase involved morphing my 2-channel obsession into HT. One thing I noticed is that folks often don't pay close attention to the center channel speaker, when a significant chunk of the funds really should go towards this end. Much of the 5.1 sound is focused on the center channel...with movies anyway - maybe not so much with music. I have this giant monstrosity ATC center channel and, man, does it make a difference. Also, HT processors are NOT all created equal. Some are quite nasty and harsh...make sure there is a true analog pass through for 2-channel listening too. For a player, I'd suggest looking at a good Denon - get the best one you can with the money you've reserved for that purpose and call it good. Great pic...good sound. The 2930 is a good player - the 3930 is the next model up and bound to be pretty sweet as well. I think there's a 'budget' model or two below that that are most likely quite decent as well. Don't forget to consider used gear. Audiogon is a good place to get into this since audiophile types are prone to continuously cycling gear.

[RKrizman]

Originally Posted by bexarametric

I know a lot about great reference monitors in my recording studio but haven't a clue about home theatre systems for my living room. What do you guys have at home? I'm definitely going to listen to different systems and form my own opinion, but I don't even know where to start. How are Vienna Acoustics? Good? Are there better things out there?

I've been down this path and spent about 4 k on my home surround system, which I got from Magnolia. I went with the Definitive Technology speakers and sub and a nice Denon amp/tuner/whatever. The Definitives just have a wonderful sound to my ears, very euphonic and pleasurable, and the dots connect nicely into a coherent soundfield. I got a powered center channel speaker with its own built in sub (sounds crazy, but makes a huge difference).

It's funny, the salesman tried to get me to go for the more expensive (twice as) Viennas, claiming that other composers were buying them, blah, blah, but to me they sounded dry and lifeless (audiophile?). The Definitives ended a long search on my part to find a system that worked for movies but also sounded great for music.

Even crazier, the Denon receiver has this technology called "Audissey" where you ping different locations of the room with test tones through all the speakers and it calculates delay times, volume and eq to give an ideal and seamless listening experience throught the room. I was extremely skeptical, but did as i was told. When I flipped it on, the speakers just disappeared. Unbelievable.

Not a dealer, just somebody who searched for exactly this for years.

-R

[David Rick]

Four grand isn't much if you want something that won't annoy you. I've noticed that Paradigm makes some speakers that sound better than they cost.

My buddy who's been shopping surround receivers lately says the Denon sounded noticeably better than Yamaha in the several models he compared. He is not a golden ear type, so if he can tell the difference it's probably worth noting.

When shopping for a DVD player, choose one that also supports SACD and DVD-A. If you can find recently-issued SACD's at all, they often have surround mixes. You'll never see DVD-A's anymore, but you can burn a hi-res or surround mix onto one in the studio and take it home.

David L. Rick
Seventh String Recording

"If you get that 'audiophile' power cord anywhere near me, I am going to strangle you with it."

[RKrizman]

Originally Posted by David Rick

When shopping for a DVD player, choose one that also supports SACD and DVD-A. If you can find recently-issued SACD's at all, they often have surround mixes. You'll never see DVD-A's anymore, but you can burn a hi-res or surround mix onto one in the studio and take it home.

I never see any surround music for sale. Is DVD-A a dead format? Are people releasing surround music in Dolby Digital format or what? Anything?

-R

[Chadlington]

Lipinski Speakers, very expensive, but you can use them at home & for mixing. We just mixed a rolling stones 5.1 DVD with them. I loved them so much. They are a company that is more interested in the consumer market, but thier awesome to mix on.

[Evil_G]

Don't forget to check out the entire Rotel line of recievers, amps and DVD players.

On the speaker side, you must hear the JM Labs stuff- same company as Focal, which you know of in the pro audio world, no doubt. Also, do yourself a favor: A/B the JM Labs/Focal HT speakers with Paradigms that cost twice as much. You'll raise an eyebrow.Or two.

Neal

[WTMNMF]

I'd like to check these out for my home.

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/new-p...eakers-us.html

[atomtom]

Originally Posted by bexarametric

I know a lot about great reference monitors in my recording studio but haven't a clue about home theatre systems for my living room. What do you guys have at home? I'm definitely going to listen to different systems and form my own opinion, but I don't even know where to start. How are Vienna Acoustics? Good? Are there better things out there?

I have about a $4000 budget for my setup with installation. Now, I don't HAVE to spend $4K (cause I like buying recording gear too) if there is something good for less, but I would like some input. I want something to listen to "finished" music on. SACD's, DVD audio etc. I want to start buying 5.1 mixes of albums, in addition to watching movies.

Your question is way too broad. Anyhow, since I have just finished deciding on my own 5.1 system you might find this helpful. The overall budget is closer to 5K but you can use my setup as a starting point.

My system:

Genelec 8030A x 5 ~ $2800-3000
Genelec 7050B Sub ~1000
Denon DN-A7100 ~ $900
Oppo dv-980 ~170

You might be able to save some money by going instead with Genelec 8020 x 5 = $2000

there are of course hundreds of other possibilities but I felt very comfortable with this one.

I haven't yet installed most of this so it is unclear how it will sound in my room but I am quite optimistic. At this time I am just using two Genelecs in a stereo mode.

Good luck with your choice.

[Ethan Winer]

Originally Posted by bexarametric

What do you guys have at home?

Mackie 624s with a big SVS subwoofer. And a lot of bass traps!

--Ethan